Crime DME

A Karns City man is charged with unlawfully shooting a bear then misleading police, according to a criminal complaint.

Thomas E. Risinger, 54, was charged Monday, July 7, with a felony count of possessing a firearm while prohibited, and two misdemeanor counts for the off-season kill of big game and tampering with physical evidence. He also received a summary charge for a fraudulent police statements.

The charges followed an alleged incident June 6.

An officer was dispatched to Risinger’s house after he reported hearing a gunshot and finding an injured bear on his back porch.

The officer claimed the bear was missing its jaw and had to be euthanized. While putting it down, he said he observed rifle cartridges and animal parts that indicated the bear was shot on Risinger’s property.

The officer then questioned Risinger on his original story, causing the him to admit he shot the bear with a rifle, according to a report.

He alleged the animal was dragging birdseed off his porch, so he yelled at it, which provoked the bear and caused Risinger to shoot it.

Risinger told police he gave the rifle to his neighbor so law enforcement wouldn’t find it because he is not permitted to have firearms while on parole, the report said.

Police spoke with Risinger’s neighbor and seized the rifle.

A preliminary hearing for Risinger before District Judge Lewis Stoughton is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. July 15.

Annabelle Chipps is a Slippery Rock University graduate and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.